Geospatial mapping of timely access to inpatient neonatal care and its relationship to neonatal mortality in Kenya.

ABSTRACT: Globally, 2.4 million newborns die in the first month of life, with neonatal mortality rates (NMR) per 1,000 livebirths being highest in sub-Saharan Africa. Improving access to inpatient newborn care is necessary for reduction of neonatal deaths in the region. We explore the relationship between distance to inpatient hospital newborn care and neonatal mortality in Kenya. Data on service availability from numerous sources were used to map hospitals that care for newborns with very low birth weight (VLBW). Estimates of livebirths needing VLBW services were mapped from population census data at 100 m spatial resolution using a random forest algorithm and adjustments using a systematic review of livebirths needing these services. A cost distance algorithm that adjusted for proximity to roads,

SUBMITTER: Ouma PO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10021833 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature